HC bans demolition of 2,200 buildings in city

Dhaka
: The High Court has imposed a ban on the demolition of 2,200 buildings in the city, according to a report in a national daily.

The owners will not be able to make any changes to these heritage structures listed by Urban Study Group (USG).

The High Court said there are many buildings and structures constructed during the Mughal or British periods. These are witnesses to history. We need to preserve the heritage in our national interest.

The High Court in its judgment instructed the formation of a committee to examine the USG-listed buildings.

The Director General of the Department of Archaeology has been instructed by the court to finalise the list considering the architectural beauty and heritage of the buildings and structures.

The court has asked for submission of a progress report in this regard every three months.

Chairman Rajuk has been directed not to approve designs for structures in place of these buildings till the finalisation of the list.

These buildings reflect our rich cultural heritage. This heritage has been reflected in our architecture and literature, the court observed.

Architect Tailmur Islam, Chief Executive, USG termed the judgment as historic. He said Rajuk was giving permission to demolish these heritage building terming them as "risky." They will abstain from doing so now.